Louisville Men's Rugby to host KY Fried 7's
Louisville Rugby will host the 10th annual Kentucky Fried 7's Tournament on Saturday, June 16 at Hays-Kennedy Park. Sixteen teams from a 6-state area are expected, including 2006 USA Rugby National 7's Championship Tournament finalist Scioto Valley from Columbus, Ohio.
Divisions include Men's, Women's and High School/U19, and the tournament is a Midwest Qualifier event, which will mean points for the winner toward seeding for the 2007 Midwest Championship Tournament. A-panel referee Jerry McLemore will lead the officials.
"The KF7's is traditionally a strong event," said tournament director Anthony Noe. "Six out of the last nine years, the eventual MW champion has played here." Louisville's central location also makes for a strong open division. "We usually get some western and southern teams to come in," said Noe, noting the past Open Division Champions have included the Toronto Lions, Nashville and the St. Louis Bombers. "This year we have a club coming in from Missouri for the U19 division."
Louisville is led by captain and Midwest All-Star, Jason Leavens (Ohio State), prop forward Tyson Lane and South African halfback Shaun Grobler. Louisville has advanced to the nationals three times in 7's, the last being in 2003. Scioto Valley is also an early favorite in the betting lines, led by 7's Eagle Kevin Mongold and veteran wing Lance Vesley.
The KF7's will mark the first official event at the newly named rugby field in Hays-Kennedy Park. Louisville Rugby Inc. has agreed to a long-term lease with the Louisville Metro Government for the 2.25 acre property, and will use it for all practices, games and events.
The tournament will kickoff at 10 am, with the championship game scheduled for 3 pm, and features customized Louisville Slugger baseball bats as trophies. Admission is free. The club asks spectators to bring a canned food item for Kentucky Harvest Foodbank.
Visit: www.louisvillerugby.org for more info.
